Callie nodded, feeling a mix of emotions and a sense of guilt towards him.
“Alright, no need for formalities here. Come in and talk,” Grandfather said sternly. As he turned, he gently added to Callie, “Be careful on your way.”
Everyone went inside, and Callie turned to go down the mountain. She kept wondering why Dale wanted came to the old mansion. Was he asking Grandfather for something?
This area was filled with high-end villas, and the roads were brightly lit. Though quiet, it was not dangerous.
Callie slowly descended the mountain. From this angle, she could overlook the entire night view of Ylosea, which was truly breathtaking.
“Is anyone there…”
Suddenly, a weak and hoarse voice reached her ears. Callie paused, thinking she had misheard.
“Miss, I’m here…” It was a woman’s voice, and she seemed to have spotted Callie.
“Where are you?” Callie followed the voice carefully.
“Here…”
In a bush, there was indeed a black figure lying on the ground, unable to move. Callie hurried over, pushed aside the branches, and took her hand. “Come on, let me help you up. How did you fall here?”
It was a middle-aged woman dressed in temple robes, looking like a nun. She was well-maintained, with hardly any wrinkles on her face and a scent of sandalwood about her.
“I twisted my ankle.” She was pulled out and sat on the ground, her hands covered in small scratches.
Callie quickly squatted down to check. “Wait here for a moment. My car is just down the hill, and I have some ointment for scrapes in it.”
“Alright, thank you so much.”
Callie quickly fetched the items and carefully applied the ointment. The woman said somewhat embarrassedly, “I live alone around here and have a habit of taking evening walks. I wasn’t paying attention tonight and twisted my ankle. If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Callie looked up in surprise. “You live alone?”
“Yes, I enjoy the peace and quiet. I live here to practice Buddhism.”
“No wonder I feel you’re special,” Callie smiled and then asked, “Let me help you back. But you should call your family to come and take care of you.”
The woman thanked her again, “My daughter will come by tomorrow.”
Callie poured some alcohol into her palm to warm it before applying it to the woman’s ankle, pressing gently with noticeable effect.
“Not many young women these days have your knowledge.”
“It’s nothing really. I’m used to handling things on my own,” Callie smiled up at her.
The streetlight illuminated Callie’s face clearly. The woman paused and furrowed her brow slightly. “Miss, I know all the families around here. Whose daughter are you?”
Callie thought for a moment. “Actually, I’m not anyone’s daughter from around here.”
The woman nodded in partial understanding, wanting to say more but ultimately staying silent.
Callie helped her back. Fortunately, the temple wasn’t far away, and they arrived quickly.
While waiting for her to change clothes, Callie stood outside the hall. Inside was a golden Buddha statue with continuous incense offerings. As an atheist, she wondered if people could truly get what they prayed for.
“Miss, what’s your name?” the woman said as she came out in regular clothes, looking very gentle in the clear light.
“Callie Marsh.”
“You can call me Sienna,” Sienna handed her a blessing pouch. “Hang this in your car for safety. It has been blessed by the temple’s abbot. Thank you for today.”